Smith recalls Weir to Scotland squad

Walter Smith is hoping that youth blended with experience will reinvigorate Scotland by giving recalls to David Weir, Christian Dailly and Neil Sullivan for his first international squad.

Weir, the Everton defender, and Sullivan, the Leeds goalkeeper, both turn 35 later this year and were frozen out of the Scotland team by the former manager Bertie Vogts.

Dailly also fell foul of Vogts after the German blamed him and Weir for Scotland's dismal performance when they drew with the Faroe Islands in 2002.

The dispute prompted Weir to say that he would never play for Scotland again.

But Smith, who signed him for Everton, has persuaded him to return to the international scene as Scotland prepare to face Italy in a World Cup qualifier in March.

Smith, who replaced Vogts last November, has chosen not to test his squad in a friendly next month, preferring instead to hold a three-day gathering between Feb 6 to 9.

Although he has given places to several older players, Smith has also included Hibernian youngsters Derek Riordan, who is uncapped, and Garry O'Connor, who made his debut as an 18-year-old under Vogts.

Smith said: "I am hoping to get the right balance in the squad.

"Five of the boys are still eligible for the under-21 team and nine are over 30.

"The older ones will probably wish they were a bit younger and I do too but we need that experience to help the younger players come through."

Riordan has scored 17 goals this season, but Smith pointed out that at 22 he is three years older than James McFadden, who already has 19 caps.

Goalkeepers Craig Gordon of Hearts and Celtic's David Marshall, who were also thrown into Vogts's final teams with little club experience, will find competition for their places from Sullivan.

However, Smith said that he had faith in both players. Smith said: "I feel they will eventually come to the fore as international goalkeepers, which is why I have kept them in."